People & Inspiration

Right now, my schedule is really tight. I attend events spearheaded by the Miss Universe Philippines Organization and Binibining Pilipinas almost everyday. Most of the time, when I get home, it’s already midnight and I lack the energy to work-out and do other trainings.

But I think it’s about having a proper and positive mindset. I consider every event as a training in itself and a learning opportunity as well because I get to do my hair and make-up, prepare my clothes to wear, meet people and talk to them. Tell you the truth, I enjoy every speaking engagement precisely because I always get the chance to hone my communication skills.

I also organize my schedule so that I will have time to go the gym, do yoga, and meditate. I pamper my well-being and condition my mind so that when the time comes, I am prepared for the Miss Universe pageant.

I look forward to the actual formal training which will happen in the next few weeks. I have a lot of groups that I will be working with, including Miss Universe Philippines Organization, KF Cebu, and Origin Model and Artist Management. They will focus on my pasarela, styling, make-up training, and the equally important question and answer training. I also have a team that helps me in pushing for causes that I care about which I will bring to the Miss Universe pageant.

There’s not one part of the competition I’m most nervous about. If anything, it’s my whole performance. It really makes a difference when you put your “A game” in every performance despite the hesitation and doubt. It is the Philippines that I'm going to represent and I want to avoid certain lapses and blind spots.

Honestly, though, preparing for the competition is more exciting to me than it is stressful. Sometimes I get stressed if my plans go wrong - like when I don't get to go to the gym or I don't get to do the things I want. But the only time I’ll feel stressed is when I know I am not taking this seriously. Overall, I’m grateful. This is a fulfillment of a dream and it’s not all the time I get to represent the Philippines in a global arena.